Caravan Trip - Which way?

Hi everyone,

We plan to travel by caravan from Melbourne to see Western Australia,
Northern Territory and Central Australia commencing around late May, 2006.

I would be interested to hear from others who have done this. Which way did
you go. Did you go across to Perth and see the Western Australian Coast and
then go north to the Kimberleys and Darwin, then come south through Central
Australia or did you travel the other way.

If so why?

I need to start planning our trip and would be interested in any tips or
must sees that you may be able to pass on.

Kind regards,

Julie
Melbourne, Australia

Buy a van that has the same size tyres and wheel stud pattern as your car,
or have the wheels changed to the same as your car, boost the suspension of
the van, they arent designed for the roads at all
carry enough spare tyres, you will burst more than one,

and you will enjoy every minute of it
--

Adaware http://www.lavasoft.de
spybot http://security.kolla.de
AVG free antivirus http://www.grisoft.com
Etrust/Vet/CA.online Antivirus scan
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
Panda online AntiVirus scan http://www.pandasoftware.com/ActiveScan/
Catalog of removal tools (1)
http://www.pandasoftware.com/download/utilities/
Catalog of removal tools (2)
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/n...aspx?CID=40387
Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts file
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
links provided as a courtesy, read all instructions on the pages before
use
Grateful thanks to the authors/webmasters

"Julie" wrote in message
news
Hi everyone,

We plan to travel by caravan from Melbourne to see Western Australia,
Northern Territory and Central Australia commencing around late May, 2006.

I would be interested to hear from others who have done this. Which way
did
you go. Did you go across to Perth and see the Western Australian Coast
and
then go north to the Kimberleys and Darwin, then come south through
Central
Australia or did you travel the other way.

If so why?

I need to start planning our trip and would be interested in any tips or
must sees that you may be able to pass on.

Kind regards,

Julie
Melbourne, Australia

Julie wrote:
Hi everyone,

We plan to travel by caravan from Melbourne to see Western Australia,
Northern Territory and Central Australia commencing around late May, 2006.

I would be interested to hear from others who have done this. Which way did
you go. Did you go across to Perth and see the Western Australian Coast and
then go north to the Kimberleys and Darwin, then come south through Central
Australia or did you travel the other way.

In 2000, we travelled from Darwin counterclockwise to Melbourne (and
beyond to Sydney).

This year, a close family member did the trip you are talking about
(Melbourne-Melbourne), also counterclockwise.

If so why?

Not really relevant, but since you asked:

The 2000 trip because we started with a 4WD campervan in Darwin, in
order to be able to do the Gibb River Road andthe Bungle-Bungles, and
continued in a 2WD from Broome (cheaper and more spacious).

The 2005 trip because they were meeting up with us in Kalbarri (WA)
and we continued together to Esperance and then split up again.

IIRC, there *is* a reason to do the Perth-Melbourne 'bit', especially
the Nullabore, from west to east. Something to do with the sun. But as
I'm totally clueless as to where the sun is when and where, I'll leave
that part to others.

I need to start planning our trip and would be interested in any tips or
must sees that you may be able to pass on.

The must sees are endless. Tell us what type of things you are
interested in and maybe we can give some tips. Just in case: There is no
opera house in Marble Bar! [1] :-)

[1] But some d@mnded nice coldies!

"Julie" wrote in message
news
Hi everyone,

We plan to travel by caravan from Melbourne to see Western Australia,
Northern Territory and Central Australia commencing around late May, 2006.

I would be interested to hear from others who have done this. Which way
did
you go. Did you go across to Perth and see the Western Australian Coast
and
then go north to the Kimberleys and Darwin, then come south through
Central
Australia or did you travel the other way.

If so why?


For how long will you be on the road?
If you will be getting home after September I recommend you travel to Darwin
first. Then you will be able to experience the wildflowers in WA during
August and September.

Gerrit

"Frank Slootweg" wrote in message
...
Julie wrote:
Hi everyone,

We plan to travel by caravan from Melbourne to see Western Australia,
Northern Territory and Central Australia commencing around late May,
2006.

I would be interested to hear from others who have done this. Which way
did
you go. Did you go across to Perth and see the Western Australian Coast
and
then go north to the Kimberleys and Darwin, then come south through
Central
Australia or did you travel the other way.

In 2000, we travelled from Darwin counterclockwise to Melbourne (and
beyond to Sydney).

This year, a close family member did the trip you are talking about
(Melbourne-Melbourne), also counterclockwise.

If so why?

Not really relevant, but since you asked:

The 2000 trip because we started with a 4WD campervan in Darwin, in
order to be able to do the Gibb River Road andthe Bungle-Bungles, and
continued in a 2WD from Broome (cheaper and more spacious).

The 2005 trip because they were meeting up with us in Kalbarri (WA)
and we continued together to Esperance and then split up again.

IIRC, there *is* a reason to do the Perth-Melbourne 'bit', especially
the Nullabore, from west to east. Something to do with the sun. But as
I'm totally clueless as to where the sun is when and where, I'll leave
that part to others.

I need to start planning our trip and would be interested in any tips or
must sees that you may be able to pass on.

The must sees are endless. Tell us what type of things you are
interested in and maybe we can give some tips. Just in case: There is no
opera house in Marble Bar! [1] :-)

[1] But some d@mnded nice coldies!

Frank
Would you recommend a campvan as being preferable to towing a caravan? I am
also intending to make this trip, and thought a caravan would be better in
that, small trips could be made in the towing vehicle (without being
encumbered by the caravan).

I have pulled our caravan nearly 100,000 kms and never had either a flat
tyre nor a blow-out.

In case you're wondering, we have been across the Nullarbor Plain four
times, as far North (in WA) as Mount Tom Price, and all over the Eastern
States and most of the SA south east, as well as one trip to Darwin and
Kunnanurra (WA).

I have only ever carried one spare for the van and it is still sitting there
(under cover).

The van wheels use five stud wheels on beam axles with seven leaf springs.
The van wheels DO NOT match the five stud wheels of the Land Rover
Discovery.

Not luck! Good maintenance and care.

Ross

"AlmostBob" wrote in message
news:cumHe.117302$wr.38542@clgrps12...
Buy a van that has the same size tyres and wheel stud pattern as your car,
or have the wheels changed to the same as your car, boost the suspension
of
the van, they arent designed for the roads at all
carry enough spare tyres, you will burst more than one,

and you will enjoy every minute of it
--

Adaware http://www.lavasoft.de
spybot http://security.kolla.de
AVG free antivirus http://www.grisoft.com
Etrust/Vet/CA.online Antivirus scan
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
Panda online AntiVirus scan http://www.pandasoftware.com/ActiveScan/
Catalog of removal tools (1)
http://www.pandasoftware.com/download/utilities/
Catalog of removal tools (2)
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/n...aspx?CID=40387
Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts file
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
links provided as a courtesy, read all instructions on the pages before
use
Grateful thanks to the authors/webmasters

"Julie" wrote in message
news
Hi everyone,

We plan to travel by caravan from Melbourne to see Western Australia,
Northern Territory and Central Australia commencing around late May,
2006.

I would be interested to hear from others who have done this. Which way
did
you go. Did you go across to Perth and see the Western Australian Coast
and
then go north to the Kimberleys and Darwin, then come south through
Central
Australia or did you travel the other way.

If so why?

I need to start planning our trip and would be interested in any tips or
must sees that you may be able to pass on.

Kind regards,

Julie
Melbourne, Australia

"Gerrit 't Hart" wrote in message
...

"Julie" wrote in message
news
Hi everyone,

We plan to travel by caravan from Melbourne to see Western Australia,
Northern Territory and Central Australia commencing around late May,
2006.

I would be interested to hear from others who have done this. Which way
did
you go. Did you go across to Perth and see the Western Australian Coast
and
then go north to the Kimberleys and Darwin, then come south through
Central
Australia or did you travel the other way.

If so why?


For how long will you be on the road?
If you will be getting home after September I recommend you travel to
Darwin
first. Then you will be able to experience the wildflowers in WA during
August and September.

Gerrit

I appreciate all your replies.
I was wondering about the wildflowers in WA. as we certainly couldn't travel
clockwise and see them.
Any tips on places not to miss would be great. We like National Parks,
magnificent scenery, snorkelling, fauna, just generally seeing Australia.
Not interested in shopping, eating out a lot, nightlife. Happy to go to the
local pub or club and meet the locals, sit under a tree and read a book,
walk through a national park, take a local tour. etc.

Julie

Ross
Can I 'pick your brains' - what size caravan and what type of vehicle did
you use?

We plan to use a Toyota Hilux or Holden Rodeo (top of the range stuff) - do
you think these will do the job?


"Ross" wrote in message
...
I have pulled our caravan nearly 100,000 kms and never had either a flat
tyre nor a blow-out.

In case you're wondering, we have been across the Nullarbor Plain four
times, as far North (in WA) as Mount Tom Price, and all over the Eastern
States and most of the SA south east, as well as one trip to Darwin and
Kunnanurra (WA).

I have only ever carried one spare for the van and it is still sitting
there (under cover).

The van wheels use five stud wheels on beam axles with seven leaf springs.
The van wheels DO NOT match the five stud wheels of the Land Rover
Discovery.

Not luck! Good maintenance and care.

Ross

"AlmostBob" wrote in message
news:cumHe.117302$wr.38542@clgrps12...
Buy a van that has the same size tyres and wheel stud pattern as your
car,
or have the wheels changed to the same as your car, boost the suspension
of
the van, they arent designed for the roads at all
carry enough spare tyres, you will burst more than one,

and you will enjoy every minute of it
--

Adaware http://www.lavasoft.de
spybot http://security.kolla.de
AVG free antivirus http://www.grisoft.com
Etrust/Vet/CA.online Antivirus scan
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
Panda online AntiVirus scan http://www.pandasoftware.com/ActiveScan/
Catalog of removal tools (1)
http://www.pandasoftware.com/download/utilities/
Catalog of removal tools (2)
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/n...aspx?CID=40387
Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts file
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
links provided as a courtesy, read all instructions on the pages before
use
Grateful thanks to the authors/webmasters

"Julie" wrote in message
news
Hi everyone,

We plan to travel by caravan from Melbourne to see Western Australia,
Northern Territory and Central Australia commencing around late May,
2006.

I would be interested to hear from others who have done this. Which way
did
you go. Did you go across to Perth and see the Western Australian Coast
and
then go north to the Kimberleys and Darwin, then come south through
Central
Australia or did you travel the other way.

If so why?

I need to start planning our trip and would be interested in any tips or
must sees that you may be able to pass on.

Kind regards,

Julie
Melbourne, Australia

Caught wrote:
[deleted]
Frank
Would you recommend a campvan as being preferable to towing a caravan? I am
also intending to make this trip, and thought a caravan would be better in
that, small trips could be made in the towing vehicle (without being
encumbered by the caravan).

We prefer a campervan because it is easier to drive [1], but having a
seperate towing vehicle definately gives the advantage which you
mention. Which just proves my life's motto that "best" doesn't exist,
just different, i.e. to each his own.

[1] Not to mention that renting (we are from The Netherlands, a.k.a.
"Holland") a towing vehicle and caravan is probably difficult/expensive.

Julie wrote:
[deleted]
Any tips on places not to miss would be great. We like National Parks,
magnificent scenery, snorkelling, fauna, just generally seeing Australia.
Not interested in shopping, eating out a lot, nightlife. Happy to go to the
local pub or club and meet the locals, sit under a tree and read a book,
walk through a national park, take a local tour. etc.

About the same interests as we have. But still way too many choices to
give recommendations on must sees. Only the National Parks go into the
many, many tens, if not hundreds. Therefor, I advise to buy the "Explore
Australia" 'atlas' and the Lonely Planet guides for Australia or/and
some states. The Explore Australia book is good for planning, because in
contains maps and has descriptions with photos, etc.. The Lonely Planet
often gives more detailed information which can be nice during the trip.

OTOH, please feel free to ask specific questions once you have done
your first draft planning.